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Harry the Barstard
4th February 2008, 19:50
Quick history,

Ive been a sports bike rider for 10 yrs, last 12 months purchased a naked bike due to licience retaining issues. I'm lovin it and have heaps of fun at more legal (give or take) speeds.

In 8 months or so im off for a big ride... The plan is from the UK to Rome, athens, Prague then to Germany. I have never been to any of those places and have no experance on tourers.

Any one ridden over there?, any advise on a suitable bike?

One last condition, If possible i would like to be more sports tourer than a bloody great goldwing etc....

rustys
4th February 2008, 20:35
:Oi:"YAMAHA FJR 1300 " mate; the bees knees for long distance touring, BRILLIANT.:ride:

Hitcher
4th February 2008, 20:38
"YAMAHA FJR 1300 " mate; the bees knees for long distance touring, BRILLIANT.

What more can I say? I understand there are Yamahas in Europe.

EJK
4th February 2008, 20:40
The R1200 GS like in the TV Series Long Way Round?

Taz
4th February 2008, 23:07
The R1200 GS like in the TV Series Long Way Round?

They were R1150GSA's :whistle:

howdamnhard
4th February 2008, 23:20
Yamaha FJR1300,Honda Pan European ,BMW RT1200RT SE or K1200GT SE.With the BMW RT coming out tops in the British bike Mag.

Whynot
4th February 2008, 23:33
Hey mate,

I'm also thinking of doing something similar, but probably just going to do it on the cbr as i can't afford to buy a bigger bike, let alone insure it.

the route i'm thinking at this stage:

London
France
Germany
Poland
Slovakia
Austria
Italy
France
London

at this stage thinking of going around august ...

check this site for more touring info
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/

Good luck planning everything :niceone:

Hitcher
5th February 2008, 08:53
Yamaha FJR1300,Honda Pan European ,BMW RT1200RT SE or K1200GT SE.With the BMW RT coming out tops in the British bike Mag.

Anybody could have produced a list. Pick one.

And you didn't mention the Kawasaki Concours or what's known in Europe as the Bandit GT. For the sake of completeness the Ducati ST4 and the Moto Guzzi Norge should be included. There is also a range of Harleys that come standard with hard luggage, so too does the Buell Ulysses.

GaZBur
5th February 2008, 09:23
I would have thought a perfectly suitable bike would have been a CB900 like you got. Distances are not big over there so you don't actually NEED a 1300. I would only suggest you buy a bike to suit what you intend to carry in the way of luggage, bigger bikes carry more weight with less hassle.
Personally I would go for a lighter mid sized bike with as little luggage as possible.
Personally I am jealous a hell coz I wish it was me instead of you!!!:angry2:

At least write up the trip when you go so we can enjoy by proxy.

gsp0702
5th February 2008, 13:56
The best bet would be the pan european, great build quality, plenty to choose from, shaft drive so no dicking about lubing chain, good panniers, and having ridden my dads one good bikes handle well, easy to control at low speed. Plenty available and if you stick with the original (and best) 1100 versions (with/without ABS), dont think you can go wrong (and if you get a white one all the cars will get out of your way because they'll think you are a copper).

MOD and Govy auction sites sell of old police military bikes so might be worth checking out:-

http://www.witham-sv.com/infopage.php?ID=1568&Overide=1


for example

Cheers

Andy

Harry the Barstard
5th February 2008, 16:56
Yeah i will start a thread when im on the road just to let you guys know how much fun im aven.

Thanks for the imput im going to look up some of the above mentioned modles as ive never seen or even heard of some of them.

I would get another CB900 but i will proberbly need hard luggage. I will also look at those double sided packs for pack racks and a tank bag. Also the only thing about the CB is the its pretty ordanary, but i cant fault it performance wise.

KoroJ
5th February 2008, 17:09
Pan European....the name says it all....or at least, what it was built for.

Just under 30Kgs of luggage, 29Ltr tank that will get you 400 - 500+Kms. (the 400Kms lower limit is to allow for travelling at 160+ kph speeds you'll be doing on the motorways). A comfortable ride for you and pillion.

howdamnhard
5th February 2008, 22:05
I did pick one,the BMW R1200RT!:bleh:. I didn't mention the Kawasaki Concours/1400GTR as it came last in the shootout due to it having "the smallest tank range , hard seat,worst screen,top heavy andno heated grips".The list was just to provide options .:laugh:



Anybody could have produced a list. Pick one.

And you didn't mention the Kawasaki Concours or what's known in Europe as the Bandit GT. For the sake of completeness the Ducati ST4 and the Moto Guzzi Norge should be included. There is also a range of Harleys that come standard with hard luggage, so too does the Buell Ulysses.

howdamnhard
5th February 2008, 22:12
The Jan 2008 edition of Bike magazine has a shootout of Big tourers and MCN website is a good source of bike reviews albeit with a UK bias.Goodluck and have fun.:Punk::woohoo:

[QUOTE=Harry the Barstard;1413004]

Thanks for the imput im going to look up some of the above mentioned modles as ive never seen or even heard of some of them.

Whynot
6th February 2008, 00:22
here's another good guide

http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/Motorcycle-Touring-Europe/

DIN PELENDA
6th February 2008, 00:53
ST 1100 PAN Europe:2thumbsupan

Subike
6th February 2008, 07:56
:Oi:"YAMAHA FJR 1300 " mate; the bees knees for long distance touring, BRILLIANT.:ride:

You will never regret it

awd
9th February 2008, 15:11
When I lived in Italy I had a 99 VFR800 and was fortunate enough to be able to spend about 3 months a year touring on the continent. For some reason the only country I never made it to was Portugal, don't know why.

In 3 years based there I never had any problems and did 4 of my trips with a pillion. Everything was always camping, so plenty of luggage, and the bike never once complained. I was pulled over in Germany because the gestapo thought I was riding with my light on high beam during the day, but it was the heavy pillion I was carrying at the time.

The best thing about the VFR was its ability to eat huge mileage without me getting stiff, but also being able to have some real fun on the alpine passes.

I would have got a Ducati ST2, but in 1998 the Ducati salesman said the reliability of the VFR would be a lot better for what I was looking for. It was still the days when Dukes were a little iffy with their electricals.

I also found that the fuel economy of the VFR was really good compared to some of my mates bike over there.

Having typed all of this, I have my doubts about a VTEC-VFR.

Just some random ramblings from someone who has done many thousands of km's on those roads you are heading to.

banditrider
9th February 2008, 16:08
:Oi:"YAMAHA FJR 1300 " mate; the bees knees for long distance touring, BRILLIANT.:ride:


What more can I say? I understand there are Yamahas in Europe.

You really mean Concours!


I did pick one,the BMW R1200RT!:bleh:. I didn't mention the Kawasaki Concours/1400GTR as it came last in the shootout due to it having "the smallest tank range , hard seat,worst screen,top heavy andno heated grips".The list was just to provide options .:laugh:

Heated grips are cheap but should have come with the bike. Mileage - I've had 368km out of a tank with a litre to spare. You generally want to have a break at some stage anyway. Just got off the bike after a nearly 600km (Palmy-Napier-Taupo-Palmy) ride and bum a little sore but you get used to it. Try one and you'll fall in love with the motor, brakes & handling...

Hinny
10th February 2008, 17:20
Honda Pan European. ST1100 The name says it all. Deisigned to cruise Europe... 100mph all day. Be able to ride all day, every day, and feel comfortable doing it. Quiet, competant and fast. No buzzy hands and feet like the Kawasaki. Smooth roll on power. Huge 30+ litre tank mounted low in the frame.

limbimtimwim
10th February 2008, 18:56
A MultiStrada?
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Col_de_Braus-small.jpg/800px-Col_de_Braus-small.jpg">

howdamnhard
10th February 2008, 20:34
I'm sure I would love it ,anything would be better than a GN250.Like I said it was just the results from the BIKE magazine shootout.It was the fastest.ENJOY your bike.Different bikes suit different people,so finding one you like that suites you is all that really matters.:2thumbsup


You really mean Concours!



Heated grips are cheap but should have come with the bike. Mileage - I've had 368km out of a tank with a litre to spare. You generally want to have a break at some stage anyway. Just got off the bike after a nearly 600km (Palmy-Napier-Taupo-Palmy) ride and bum a little sore but you get used to it. Try one and you'll fall in love with the motor, brakes & handling...

Bren
10th February 2008, 21:42
You really mean Concours!



Heated grips are cheap but should have come with the bike. Mileage - I've had 368km out of a tank with a litre to spare. You generally want to have a break at some stage anyway. Just got off the bike after a nearly 600km (Palmy-Napier-Taupo-Palmy) ride and bum a little sore but you get used to it. Try one and you'll fall in love with the motor, brakes & handling...


yellow text on a white background....butt ugly!

i would go with a beemer IMHO

Hitcher
11th February 2008, 17:39
i would go with a beemer IMHO

While I can justify why I should own and ride an FJR1300 at $10,000 more than a new touring-spec Bandit, it's hard to see the additional $10,000-worth of value in going to a BMW or Norge. A fully-blinged FJR (suspension, mufflers, intake, topbox & GPS) will still return change on what's needed to be forked out for a bog-standard Euro super-sprots tourer. And that's without doing a proper performance analysis (pillion comfort, luggage space, rider comfort, and general handling).

banditrider
11th February 2008, 18:03
yellow text on a white background....butt ugly!

i would go with a beemer IMHO

Looks great on my black background - how's blue?


While I can justify why I should own and ride an FJR1300 at $10,000 more than a new touring-spec Bandit, it's hard to see the additional $10,000-worth of value in going to a BMW or Norge. A fully-blinged FJR (suspension, mufflers, intake, topbox & GPS) will still return change on what's needed to be forked out for a bog-standard Euro super-sprots tourer. And that's without doing a proper performance analysis (pillion comfort, luggage space, rider comfort, and general handling).

Not a huge BM (twin anyway) fan either - have ridden my old man's 1150GS a few times and can't say it excites me. Although in saying that it is probably the thing to tour the globe on. Have only ridden one BM 4 and that was an ancient K1 - the new ones are probably great but dear.

As an ex-bandit rider I'd like to sample the new 1250 as my K6 with panniers & topbox was a great bike and probably the cheapest big-bore tourer you can get/make. The new engine and ABS only make the package more attractive. Still can't understand why the didn't throw in a topbox instead of the tank-bag. Also, they have a smaller tank now - that's never good...

Hitcher
11th February 2008, 20:01
Looks great on my black background - how's blue?

Not as good as the default colour option. On either background. Surely it must be easier to just type, rather than having to fanny around formatting text?

Whatever floats one's boat, I suppose...

limbimtimwim
11th February 2008, 20:19
Still can't understand why the didn't throw in a topbox instead of the tank-bag.Probably because top-boxes look retarded. And the frames that are usually required are ugly too.
Also, they have a smaller tank now - that's never good...[/COLOR]Maybe they improved the efficiency and it does about the same distance? Fuel injection, water cooling a new engine could have made up the difference.

YellowDog
11th February 2008, 20:22
Hi Harry, My vote is with the new GSF1250SAT. You get all the extra touring stuff for free. I'd love to be able to afford the Honda or the BMW and if you are in that price league; then go for it. If you still have Sports riding in your veins, then the Kwaka is the one - IMO.

Have ridden over Europe, which is a lot of fun. Be careful with the Left Hand Driving. It's easy in town, but once you get onto the country lanes it is easy to make mistakes. The UK is very easy and there lots of great riding.

Good luck.

avrflr
12th February 2008, 09:37
You really should have given a budget. Somehow I don't think you intend to pony up for a new beemer. Or a new anything. Where are you going to buy the bike? What are bike prices like there?

rasty
12th February 2008, 12:19
I really don't think the bike you choose is as important as your attitude. I had a ball last summer on my 620 Multistrada - 16000kms covering from the Isle of Man for the TT across as far west as Slovenia, over 10 weeks. I never felt the lack of a bigger bike, but then I spent the minimum of time on autobahns, autoroutes etc. Where I was forced on to a motorway type of road I still sat at around 130kmh (the limit, enforced quite strongly in most countries) while on the small back roads I prefer and which seem to lead to the most interesting villages etc, the small bike was a real bonus. Some days I did 800 or 900kms while others were only 100 or so.

As I say, attitude is the important part.

I flew the bike into the UK, for timing reasons, but shipped it back to NZ.

Whatever you ride, have a great time.:2thumbsup

banditrider
12th February 2008, 16:46
Probably because top-boxes look retarded. And the frames that are usually required are ugly too.Maybe they improved the efficiency and it does about the same distance? Fuel injection, water cooling a new engine could have made up the difference.

The top-box frame on my Bandit looked way better than the pannier ones...Panniers tend to only look good if purpose designed for the bike, otherwise they're just tacked on.

Yes, would be really interested to know what the economy is like. Increased torque & sixth cog should make a difference too.

avrflr
13th February 2008, 12:24
I flew the bike into the UK, for timing reasons, but shipped it back to NZ.


Crikey! What's that cost then?

pritch
13th February 2008, 14:26
And you didn't mention the Kawasaki Concours

That finished last in the BIKE comparison test.

From memory the final preference was BMW K, BMW R, Honda ST, Yamaha FJR, Kawasaki. Then again that's just four people's opinions.

Other people might not want to be comfortable..

ital916
13th February 2008, 14:52
Are tourers still easy enough to commute on? Also, say if someone was going from their restricted to full license, would a sports tourer as mentioned in the lists posted previously bite badly, as in very very big jump as in probably not the best idea. Are there any middle weight sports tourers...just a hypothetical question.

Ixion
13th February 2008, 15:17
They're OK for commuting, but lane splitting may be limited because of wide panniers etc. And they're usually HEAVY.

In terms of experience, a tourer is less likely to bite than a big sprotsbike. The main thing, again, is they are heavy. So the switch from , say, an Rg150 might be interesting. But from, say, a ZZR250, should be few problems. Oh, and they'r eusually expensive , too.

idb
13th February 2008, 15:54
Darmah.
Rode around Western Europe on mine last year.

avrflr
13th February 2008, 23:18
Are tourers still easy enough to commute on? Also, say if someone was going from their restricted to full license, would a sports tourer as mentioned in the lists posted previously bite badly, as in very very big jump as in probably not the best idea. Are there any middle weight sports tourers...just a hypothetical question.

I commute from one end of Auckland to the other on a big fat tourer. I think it's fantastic. And I lane split almost as much as I used to on my GN250. As for going to a bigger bike, the handlebars are in the same place, throttle on the right etc. It's much the same procedure - either you can ride a bike or you can't.

rasty
14th February 2008, 11:16
Crikey! What's that cost then?

It was NZ$1800 going over and GBP510 coming back. The flight over was special i think, original quotes were about 2200 but I got a special. Flying wouldn't have been an option except for the timing, and renting there wasn't an option because of the cost for the 10 weeks. Buying something involved just too much hassle with registration insurance and selling it again. But it was worth every cent, even if my credit cards are still looking a bit unhealthy.

dcrook
15th February 2008, 14:44
Have you considered a BMW F800 S or ST ?
It's 100 kg lighter than any of the big touring bikes, you get well fitting panniers that are expandable to suit your luggage requirements and at a steady 120kmh your slurping only 4.2 litres per 100 km travelled.

The performance is on par with a Japanese 600 sportsbike so you won't be dissapointed. But if your touring why do you need something that will blur the scenery ?

Afterwards you can take off the panniers, top box, tank bag and let rip along any alpine pass if you feel the need.

HTFU
15th February 2008, 14:50
Quick history,

Ive been a sports bike rider for 10 yrs, last 12 months purchased a naked bike due to licience retaining issues. I'm lovin it and have heaps of fun at more legal (give or take) speeds.

In 8 months or so im off for a big ride... The plan is from the UK to Rome, athens, Prague then to Germany. I have never been to any of those places and have no experance on tourers.

Any one ridden over there?, any advise on a suitable bike?

One last condition, If possible i would like to be more sports tourer than a bloody great goldwing etc....

Sounds like a cool thing to do. Have you looked at maybe a Versys or a V-strom 650 twin. Good rear shocks to handle the load and a powerful enough engine to carry it all. I think the V-strom has a easy preload adjuster not sure about the Versys.

SPman
15th February 2008, 15:33
I found my K4 GSXR1000, just the ticket. Comfy as, and 1600km weekends, no problems!
No trouble with traffic!

cold comfort
15th February 2008, 15:36
Quick history,

Ive been a sports bike rider for 10 yrs, last 12 months purchased a naked bike due to licience retaining issues. I'm lovin it and have heaps of fun at more legal (give or take) speeds.

In 8 months or so im off for a big ride... The plan is from the UK to Rome, athens, Prague then to Germany. I have never been to any of those places and have no experance on tourers.

Any one ridden over there?, any advise on a suitable bike?

One last condition, If possible i would like to be more sports tourer than a bloody great goldwing etc....

Rode a Multistrada 1100s recently-blody amazing handling and designed for the roads ur considering. I would not go past one.

jim.cox
15th February 2008, 15:46
My choice would either be...

an old BMW R series

or

a new KTM super motard

(with hard panniers in either case)

Harry the Barstard
15th February 2008, 16:51
When I lived in Italy I had a 99 VFR800 and was fortunate enough to be able to spend about 3 months a year touring on the continent. For some reason the only country I never made it to was Portugal, don't know why.

In 3 years based there I never had any problems and did 4 of my trips with a pillion. Everything was always camping, so plenty of luggage, and the bike never once complained. I was pulled over in Germany because the gestapo thought I was riding with my light on high beam during the day, but it was the heavy pillion I was carrying at the time.

The best thing about the VFR was its ability to eat huge mileage without me getting stiff, but also being able to have some real fun on the alpine passes.

I would have got a Ducati ST2, but in 1998 the Ducati salesman said the reliability of the VFR would be a lot better for what I was looking for. It was still the days when Dukes were a little iffy with their electricals.

I also found that the fuel economy of the VFR was really good compared to some of my mates bike over there.

Having typed all of this, I have my doubts about a VTEC-VFR.

Just some random ramblings from someone who has done many thousands of km's on those roads you are heading to.


Good to hear from someone whio has done it. I was thinking of the vfr as i saw quick chics one and had a yarn to her RE luggage options and it could be a reliable old girl. Pillion may happen on some of the legs so its definitly one of the modles im seriously lookin at.

Cheers for yr input

Harry the Barstard
15th February 2008, 16:53
Hi Harry, My vote is with the new GSF1250SAT. You get all the extra touring stuff for free. I'd love to be able to afford the Honda or the BMW and if you are in that price league; then go for it. If you still have Sports riding in your veins, then the Kwaka is the one - IMO.

Have ridden over Europe, which is a lot of fun. Be careful with the Left Hand Driving. It's easy in town, but once you get onto the country lanes it is easy to make mistakes. The UK is very easy and there lots of great riding.

Good luck.

Yeah a kwaka would be great if i could find a good one that will carry my shet. When i get back my next purchase with out a doubt will be the 2008 z1000. gives me a chubby just thinkin about it.:drool:

Harry the Barstard
15th February 2008, 16:58
You really should have given a budget. Somehow I don't think you intend to pony up for a new beemer. Or a new anything. Where are you going to buy the bike? What are bike prices like there?

Fair call,

long story short i am the first generation of my familly to be born an bread in NZ not england like the rest of em. I have an uncle who races and restores bikes quiet seriously (for a non sponcered chap) who lives in Birmingham.

Anyway im going to get him to pick me one up just need to give him the make, model and wire over some lollie. $10k nz is what i will have to spend.

Harry the Barstard
15th February 2008, 17:01
I really don't think the bike you choose is as important as your attitude. I had a ball last summer on my 620 Multistrada - 16000kms covering from the Isle of Man for the TT across as far west as Slovenia, over 10 weeks. I never felt the lack of a bigger bike, but then I spent the minimum of time on autobahns, autoroutes etc. Where I was forced on to a motorway type of road I still sat at around 130kmh (the limit, enforced quite strongly in most countries) while on the small back roads I prefer and which seem to lead to the most interesting villages etc, the small bike was a real bonus. Some days I did 800 or 900kms while others were only 100 or so.

As I say, attitude is the important part.

I flew the bike into the UK, for timing reasons, but shipped it back to NZ.

Whatever you ride, have a great time.:2thumbsup

Cheers man i intend to,

I think you raise a good point and i am the sort of person who will avoid the main road too. Hadnt thought of that as that is a major factor to put into the equation.

Big ups:wari:

Padmei
17th February 2008, 08:30
Is it just me or are there other jealous barstards who want to slap this guy for planning such a great trip!!!!
Have a great time & think of us listening at home listening to the kids argue
:bye:

Padmei
17th February 2008, 08:31
PS modles is actually spelt models

Padmei
17th February 2008, 08:32
Is it just me or are there other jealous barstards who want to slap this guy for planning such a great trip!!!!
Have a great time & think of us at home listening to the kids argue
:bye:

steveb64
21st February 2008, 14:08
Quick history,

Ive been a sports bike rider for 10 yrs, last 12 months purchased a naked bike due to licience retaining issues. I'm lovin it and have heaps of fun at more legal (give or take) speeds.

In 8 months or so im off for a big ride... The plan is from the UK to Rome, athens, Prague then to Germany. I have never been to any of those places and have no experance on tourers.

Any one ridden over there?, any advise on a suitable bike?

One last condition, If possible i would like to be more sports tourer than a bloody great goldwing etc....

Me, the missus and a mate spent 6 weeks touring around Europe plus 2 weeks at the TT, then another week going up around the top (nearly) of Scotland back in '96. Me on my Duc (900SL), the missus on a RF900, and the mate on a TDM850. Had lambskins on all bike seats, and were carrying gear for camping (tents, etc.), as well as clothes for 4 seasons (due to a LATE spring). Oddly enough - after we all switched bikes a few times - the Duc was picked as being one of the most comfortable! Actually - the RF was voted as most UNCOMFORTABLE, the Duc and the TDM had totally different riding positions, but were both Ok for 500 - 800 kms a day.

We went UK - France - Spain - Portugal - Spain - Andorra - France - Italy - Austria - (in one day France - Germany - Luxembourg - Belgium - France - UK) - IOM TT - Scotland. Totalled about 14,000 km's in 9 weeks, and we did bugger all riding in the two weeks at the TT - too many loose units out there.

One place that's a MUST do - is Andorra! Worlds biggest duty free shopping centre! As in - the whole country is duty free. Came away with a new leather jacket (NZ$300), new Dainese 2pc race suit (NZ$800) and a bunch of other bits. So much that we had to stay a few days longer so as to post the excess gear back to the UK!

One other thing to take into consideration - the English are REALLY disliked (so are Americans - but that shouldn't be too much of a problem) - so if you buy your bike in the UK (Uk number plates) make SURE you take plenty of NZ stickers/patches/identifiers! We didn't (couldn't get hold of any for some reason), and often had shit treatment, until we got across that we weren't Brits, but Kiwis - and suddenly there'd be smiles and handshakes and nice treatment.

Errm - you know you'll need a UK street address if you're buying a bike there? It has to be insured to get appropriate Tax discs and certs - which requires a residential street address. Maybe one of the UK KBers will be able to help you out? Find one in the country - better rates!

And one MORE other thing - if you're planning on shipping the bike back after your trip: The VAT refund is based on the vehicle being less than 12 months old from date of DELIVERY when it leaves the shores of the EU. The GST drops to 50% if more than 12 months old from date of PURCHASE. At least, that's how it was in '96. The way it worked out for us was we bought the bikes in August '95 - but as we were living in Russia at the time, we left them with the dealer until our contracts had finished, then took delivery in Feb '96 (well, I did - ran both bikes in, up 1000km service, so ready to go). So we got all the VAT back, and only paid 1/2 the GST! Basically covered the shipping costs! Well - on the Duc - the TDM got written off (in this incident http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1436366&postcount=48), and we decided that Suzuki had gutted the price of the RF900's in NZ so much, it wasn't woth shipping it back, so it got sold instead!

steveb64
21st February 2008, 14:19
I really don't think the bike you choose is as important as your attitude. I had a ball last summer on my 620 Multistrada - 16000kms covering from the Isle of Man for the TT across as far west as Slovenia, over 10 weeks. I never felt the lack of a bigger bike, but then I spent the minimum of time on autobahns, autoroutes etc. Where I was forced on to a motorway type of road I still sat at around 130kmh (the limit, enforced quite strongly in most countries) while on the small back roads I prefer and which seem to lead to the most interesting villages etc, the small bike was a real bonus. Some days I did 800 or 900kms while others were only 100 or so.

As I say, attitude is the important part.

I flew the bike into the UK, for timing reasons, but shipped it back to NZ.

Whatever you ride, have a great time.:2thumbsup

Sounds pretty much as we did. Kept out of the cities, and off the motorways as much as possible. Cough. We tended to cruise at more like 150k on the motorways - never had any problems with the cops (was also '96). AND, we weren't the fastest on the road... Closest we had to a problem was heading into Austria - couple of cops came running from their car, well off to the side of the road, waving. I waved back. Apparently, they were waving even harder when the missus came through on her RF 10-20 seconds later... She waved back too! :laugh: